"Of course," said Peter to Grandfather Frog, "Old Mother Nature knows a great deal more than I do—"
"Really! You don't mean to say so! Chug-a-rum! You don't mean to say so, Peter!" interrupted Grandfather Frog, pretending to be very much surprised at what Peter said.
"You don't mean to say so, Peter," interrupted Grandfather Frog.
Peter grinned and wrinkled his nose at Grandfather Frog.
"Yes," said he, "Old Mother Nature knows a great deal more than I do, but it seems to me as if she had made a mistake in giving Sammy Jay such a handsome coat. There must be a reason, I suppose, but for the life of me I cannot understand it. I should think that she would give such a thief as Sammy Jay the very homeliest suit she could find. You may depend I would, if I were in her place."
Grandfather Frog chuckled until he shook all over.
"It's lucky for some of us that you are not in her place!" said he. "Chug-a-rum! It certainly is lucky!"
"If I were, I would give you a handsome coat, too, Grandfather Frog," replied Peter.
Grandfather Frog suddenly swelled out with indignation. "Chug-a-rum! Chug-a-rum! What's the matter with the coat I have got, Peter Rabbit? Tell me that! Who's got a handsomer one?" Grandfather Frog glared with his great, goggly eyes at Peter.